Idiots Deluxe

Not the greatest stooge short, but it still has plenty of laughs. The boys are roommates and Moe has decided to sue the other two because they're literally driving him crazy. The story is told in flashbacks about how Larry and Curly try to soothe Moe's illness while only making it worse.

My favorite bit is when they're in the woods and Larry is giving Curly some rocks to wall up a bear's den, and he decides to play football center and hikes a huge rock to Curly through his legs without looking to see where it goes (it hits Moe in the head, of course). You just can't make people any dumber.

This is the first short where Curly is clearly not himself (he suffered a mild stroke after this short was made). He has a fair amount of energy but his voice rarely gets up into his classic falsetto, and his speech is slightly slurred. Even so, it's easy to enjoy this short as it's another fine example of the stooges doing what they do best.

This is easily one of the BEST Stooges shorts ever. The premise: Curly and Larry take Moe on a hunting vacation for his nerves but a wandering bear makes things difficult for them. It is unique in that it moves at a slower pace than many of their other films (at least, from my POV) but it's still quite hilarious! Some of their best gags come from this little gem such as Curly and Larry performing as the "Original 2-Man Quartet" (with an out-of-control trombone slide), the boys trying to seal a menacing bear inside a cave by blocking the entrance with rocks (inevitably leading to both Moe and the bear being knocked cold by decidedly misthrown boulders), and Curly asking Larry if hunting is allowed. Larry replies, "Sure. I just saw a sign: Fine for Hunting" (a great verbal gag). This short also shows some of Moe's best acting abilities. One practically sympathizes with him as he unsuccessfully tries to soothe his "jangled nerves". I highly recommend this to any Stooges fan. Give it a try; you'll not be sorry you did. And watch out for that car driving bear!

Moe is on trial for assaulting his roommates Larry and Curly. Moe testifies in court. He needed peace and quiet. The guys took him into the woods and found themselves facing a bear.

At first, I'm concerned with Moe becoming quiet from his condition. Instead, he just got meaner and that's a good thing for comedic effect. There is one thing I wish they would do for the ending. The bear needs to come into the courtroom and chase the boys around. Moe chasing Larry and Curly takes it to a second level. If the bear shows up at that moment, it would take it to a next level situation.

IDIOTS DELUXE (1945) is the last good Three Stooges short directed by Jules White before falling down into mediocrity. Considering the poor quality of all of White Stooges shorts after this one the credit for this one belongs to writer Elwood Ullman whose script is excellent. With no "poke in the eyes" jokes the two-reeler is effectively structured in flashback and features a lot of inspired gags and jokes. For once, Jules White does not milk the screenplay with protracted and unfunny gags. The version I have seen so far, in Argentina, is in Spanish; however, not even the poor dubbing can undermine the film qualities.

Woe is Moe. He's being sued by Larry and Curly for assault. Moe tells the judge (Vernon Dent) he can't help himself, that he is a sick man and a nervous wreck. The film flashbacks to the boys on a hunting trip; Moe gets irate when he thinks Larry and Curly have eaten his food; in reality a bear has devoured the tasty morsels! Will the boys defeat the bear and will Moe get some much needed rest?

"Idiots Deluxe" is a decent Stooge outing, but somewhat inconsistent. Many film buffs and historians cite a later 1945 release, "If a Body Meets a Body," as evidence that Curly had suffered a stroke. I think that "Idiots Deluxe" shows that Curly Howard was already a sick man. Physically, he's still able to do many things, including running into the side of a cabin and getting knocked down by a rock. But listen to his voice; it ebbs and flows between his "Curly" falsetto and Jerome "Curly" Howard's natural voice. This inconsistency does not allow the viewer to fully relax with the film. You know there's something wrong when a bear and not the Stooges get most of the laughs.

Funny, but not outstanding. 6 out of 10.